Combined piano bench and music cabinet



Apr. 17, 1923.

G. H. MERKEL COMBINED PIAN BENCH AND MUSIC CABINET 2 sheets-sheet` 1 Filed June 6. 1922 Il!! lx George Merfel.-

pr. 17, 1923. ASLQQ@ G. H. MERKEL `COMBINED PIANO BENCH AND MUSIC CABINET Filed'Junev 6, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 George HMerJfeZ.

Patented Apr. l?, 1923.

unirse stares lgllgttt GEORGE H. MERKEL, 0F BLUEFIELD, FEST VIRGINIA.`

COMBINED PIA'N'Ov BENCH ANDMUSIC CABINET.

Application filed .Tune 6, 1922. Serial No. 566,258.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, Gnonon H. MnRKnL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bluefield, in the county of Mercer and State of l/Vest Virginia,have invented certain lmprovements in Combined Piano Benches and Music Cabinets, of which the following is a full and complete speciiication.

My invention is an improvement in articles of furniture of that particular class in which the article is adapted to serve other purposes than that for which it is especiallyT designechin the present insta-nce to provide a music cabinet or cabinets .in connection with a piano-bench.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a combined piano bench and music cabinet in which the seat or seat po-rtions of the bench may be tilted to a more or less extent for the convenience of the performer in playing the piano, and in which the performer may have easy access to the music cabinets without rising from the bench, the general structure being such that itwill present a very useful article of furniture vof neat and ornamental appearance, strong and durable. l

With these main objects in view my invention contemplates a construction of pianobench in which the end portions thereof are in the form of boxes'to provide music cabinets `or compartments for sheet music, ttc., below the top or seat of the bench with recesses or open spaces under that portion of the top between said cabinets at opposite sides of the bench, the top in the present instance being divided into several adjustable seat portions which may be tilted to a more or less extent and those over the compartments provided vwith hinged lids swinging upward independently for more convenient access to said compartments; all as hereinafter fully described and more specifically set forth in the appended claims.

' In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a piano bench and music cabinet constructed in accorda-nce with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

' Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one end of the bench,

Fig. 4: is a plan view of one end of the bench with the seat portions broken away to show detail of construction.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the center of the bench.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view through the central portion of the bench to show the means for supporting the seat sections.

j Fig. 7 is a similar View through that portion of the top providing one of the seat sections above the compartments for the sheet music.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the means employed for supporting the seat sections in tilted position. j

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of the ratchet-plate.

Fig. l0 is a detail sectional view showing the form of hinge-connection employed.

In carrying out my invention the bench is constructed to provide two similar box-lille end portions l5, l5, rectangular in shape and spaced a suitable distance apart to accommodate a main seat section, hereinafter referred to, said boxes forming the music cabinets and are connected by a top 16 and partition 17, the latter being below the central portion of the top or seat to divide the intervening space between the boxes into opposite recesses under this portion of the seat of the bench, and the structure is preferably provided at its four corners with feet 1S for supporting the same above the floor, althoughof course the feet may be dispensed with if desired. in thepresent instance the box-like end portions of the bench are intended to provide receptacles or compartments for music sheets, and for convenience in orderly arranging the sheets of music therein said boxes are each provided with Vertical partitions 19 held in place in the usual manner by engaging grooves in the opposite sides of the compartment; however, as will be understood, any other arrangement may be provided to receive the music sheets, or to receive music-rolls', or other articles to `be kept within the compartment. To give strength to the bench structure the boxes are reinforced at their lower ends by a framework Of strips or battens 20 and by a baseboard or molding strip 2l, the latter being continued along the lower edge of the partition 1T as shown in the drawings. Likewise the connec ion of the top or seat frame 16 of the bench to the bor-like end portions or cabinets l5 is reinforced by ornamental molding strips 22 extending en tirely around the upper part of the structure slightly below said top cr sea-i, train-e and across the upper part of the recesses between the boxes. The partition lT terminates at its upper end on a plane with the lower edges of the molding strips being braced by a ross-piece S3, and by reference to Figs. Z3 and l it willbe seen there is i'ectanggular framework for supporting the center adjustable seat sectiony 26, hereinafter described, comprising strips Q4 attached to the sides of the cabinets and oppositeportions of the side rails of the top, the latter being recessed, at 25, to receive said seat section.

The top or sea-t of the bench is in the present instance provided with three independent andadjustable sections or seat portions including the center sectionQG and end secv tions 28, 28, the latter being above and therefore serving to close the upper ends of the cabinets or compartments l5. The adjustable seat section 26 may be solid .as indicated in Fie: 5 or composite as'indicated in Fig. 6, in either instance being preferably reinforced by battens 26, and this seat section is hinged at one end, its front end, to

the rail of the top frame of the bench in the manner shown in Fig. l0, inlwhich the hingey comprises a pivot-pin 29 with an integral attaching-plate 430 fastened to the side vpiece of the cabinet, and a socket-plate 31 attached to the edge of theseat section with a hole through which the pivot-pin passes into a register-ing hole in the seat section. By this arrangement the seat section may be swung upwardly at its rear end tovany desired inclination, and for the `purpose of holding the samein an adjusted position it is provided underneath at both sides with a pivoted rack-plate or toothed pawl 32 adapted to env gage a pin 38 projecting from the adjoining` side of the cabinet, respectively, eachswinging rack-plate being pivoted in a bracket-3% attached to the underside of the seat section and the enga'gingipin 33 locatedto dispose said ratchet-plate at an angle so that it may ride overthe `pin when the freeend of the seatsection is swung upward for engagement of anyone of the teeth 35 with said pin according to the inclination or tilt desired.` To provide for lowering the' seat section by an automatic operation of the rack-plate the latter is provided at its outer end a suitable distance beyond the `last engaging-tooth with a hook or catch-member 36 servingto limit the upward movement of the seat-section,andinconnection with this hooked stop thereis aspring guardor lip 37 attached 'or the spring guard 'extent the pin will pass under the lip by forcing it outward and when said seat memt, ber is then lowered the pin will be guided over the outer surface of the lip free of the engaging teeth. As will be noted the length or `lip is such with respect to the movement of the seat section that in lowering the latter the pin p asses beyond the inner end of said guard or'lip to again engage the edge oftherack-plate and teeth when vthe seat section is raised, and to escape the projecting. end of the'pin 33 the connecting portion 37a of the spring guard or lip is curved laterally, as shown in Fig. 9. By this arrangement the/main seat section 26 may be adjusted at any desired inclina tion or tilt according to the length of the 1ackplate and number of engagingeteeth at the edge thereof, and to lower said seat section it is necessary onlyto raise 'it to the limit and then lower or drop it. 4As the seat portion fits snugly within the top frame 16 and lowered the forward end of Vsaid seat portion is recessed, as. at 4:0, to provide alinger-A hold for lifting the same.

Each seat portion or section 28 comprises a rectangular open frame 28a, 'forming the lower part thereof, `and atop or lidQSb, the frame being hinged to the top raill at the front of the bench with its' opposite end iitting in a recess in the top vrail at the rear oi the bench and the 'lid connected by hinges 39 to said ,frame at the rear end4 thereof so as to swing upward at its forward end. These seat sections 28, 28, are hinged to the top of the bench in the same manner as the main seat section Q6, and as the means for supporting thesame in tilted position are exactly likethose already described with reference to seat section 26 (see Fig. 6) ithe foregoing description of said` means will apply,`like numerals of reference being used. Likewise the' front strip of the frame QSaof each seat section 28'is recessed for a in addition there is a recess al at the free end of the lid to'- lprovide a finger-hold for raising the same. As will 'be Vreadily 4observed this construction `for the seat sections 28 located over the music cabinets or com# partments notonly provides for full access t line with"` or independently of thefcenter or flush with the same when ingerhold 40, and

and backwardj to 'Til lio

cabinets main seat section 26. Ot course when all the adjustable seat sections are lowered the `bench presents a plain top or straight seat,

the hinges 39 being inset so as to provide a smooth surface. f

The article of furniture herein shown and described is oi pleasing appearance and any desirable changes may be made in ornamental iinish or design, the essential features being to provide in connection with the bench or compartments to contain sheet music, ctc., with provision for easy access to said compartments by a performer seated on the center seat section without rising therefrom, as well providing for tilting the several seat sections as desired; ior in stance in playing duets said seat sections may all be tilted orl inclined at the same angle so that the performers may sit side by side, as there is no perceptible gap between the seat portions.

,l claim :-4

l. A combined piano-bench and music cabinet comprising` spaced apart box-like end portions forming compartments, a rectangular top frame connecting said end por tions, an adjustable seat section within the frame intermediate the upper ends of the compartments, and lids tor the compartments hinged' within the top frame above Said compartments and normally forming4 portions ot the seat of the bench.

' 2. A combined piano-bench and music cabinet comprising spaced apart box-like end portions torming compartments, a rectangular top Jframe connecting said end portions, a vertical longitudinal partition connecting the box-like end portions below the top at the center thereof to provide opposite recesses below the center a central seat portion over the partition, and lids hinged to the top frame above the coinpartments to normally t'oi'm portions ot the seat of the bench and provide access to the compartments, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

A combined piano-bench and music cabinet comprising spaced apart box-like end portions torming compartments, a rectangular top frame connecting said end por tions, a. seat section within the top trame termediate the compartments pivoted at one end so as to be tilted upward` at the other end, and a rack-plate and pin for supporting said seat section at the desired inclination; together with lids hinged in the top frame at the upper end ot the compartments to normally form portions ot' the seat of the bench and for access to the compartments, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

4. A combined piano-bench and music vcabinet comprising spaced apart box-like end portions forming compartments or music cabinets, a top connecting said end portions,

portion ot the seat,v

an adjustable seat portion within the top pivoted at one end, a pin projecting from the body ot the bench, a rack-plate pivoted to the underside of the seat section to ride over the pin and engage the saine when said seat section is raised, said rack-plate having a hooked stop at its outer end beyond the series of engaging-teeth, and a. spring guide having a lateral member by which it is attached to one side ot the rack-plate so that said guide will overlie the teeth, the outer end of the guide being curved inward to near the edge of the rack-plate between the series of teeth and hooked stop to guide the pin out of' contact with the teeth when the seat section is lowered.

5. A combined pianobench and music cabinet comprising spaced apart box-like end portions forming compartments or music cabinets, a rectangular top frame con necting said end portions, a seat section within the top frame intermediate the compartments and pivoted at one end, means for adjusting the inclination of said seat section, and a seat section covering each compartment including a frame pivoted at one end within the top frame, a lid hingedto the end of the seat trame opposite its pivoted end, and means for adjusting the inclination of the seat iframe of said seat section, sub# stantially as shown and described.

6. A combined piano bench and music cabinet comprising spacedapart box-like end portions forming compartments, a rectangular top frame connecting said end portions, a seat section intermediate the compartments pivoted at one lend within the top frame, and seat sections coveringr the compartments, said last mentioned seat sections each comprising a frame pivoted at one end to the top trame and a lid hinged' to the seat frame at the other end thereof, together with means tor adjusting the several seat sections comprising rack-plates pivoted respectively to the center seat section and to the seat-frames of the end seat sections` and pins projecting from the body of the bench to engage the rack-plates, said rack-plates having a hooked stop at the outer end th ere` of and a spring guide cooperating with the stop to guide the pin out of contact with the teeth on the rack-plate when the seat section is lowered, substantially as herein Shown and ior the purpose set forth.

7. A piano bench and music cabinet comprising a compartment and a seat at one side of said compartment; together with an adjustable seat section closing the compartment consisting of an open frame connected to the upper end of said compartment, a lid in said frame providing access to the compartment independent of movement of said scat frame, and means engaging the frame foradjusting the inclination of the seat' section.

5 the compartment and consisting of an open freine in the upper end of the compaitment hinged to the foiwerd end thereof, a hd hinged at one end to said frame to form the seat portion and provide access to the compartment independent `of Inovejxnenc-` of said seat frame, and

frame 'for adjusting the inclination of the seat section.

GEORGE H. MERKEL.

means engaging the scatV 

